She smiles. “I prefer to saymature. He works for my father. He’s incredibly handsome. Dark hair flecked with gray. Custom designed suits. And his cologne is amazing.”
“He works for your dad? Isn’t he going to get in trouble for taking you out on a date?”
“We didn’t tell him it was a date. He thinks Marshall was taking me out to teach me how to sail. Daddy knows I’ve always wanted to learn, and Marshall just happens to have a sailboat. Two, actually, but only one is docked here.”
“Did you really go on his sailboat?”
“Yes, and it was so romantic. He had his chef cater dinner, but we didn’t have much time to eat it before . . .” She smiles.
“Ew, gross.” I scrunch up my face. “Don’t tell me any more. You’ll ruin my lunch.”
She follows me to the cafeteria. “You don’t know what you’re missing. Older men have so much more to offer, including a large bank account.”
“Your family is rich. They’ll give you as much money as you want.”
“True, but it’s different when it comes from a man whose begging for your attention.”
Ms. Adams should be calling Peyton into her office. Her obsession with older men isn’t normal. She has some serious issues that would be a much better use of Ms. Adams’ time than talking to me.
In the lunchroom, Peyton heads to the salad line while I go to the hot food line. Dante’s in front of me, getting his usual three plates of food, which today is whole wheat macaroni and cheese with a side of organic broccoli.
“Hey, Dante,” I say, wanting to see if Braden told him and the other football players not to talk to me. So far, they’ve been acting normal around me, but I haven’t talked to any of them yet.
Dante turns around and smiles. “Hey, how’s it going?”
“Good. How about you?”
“My shoulder still hurts from Friday’s game, but other than that I’m good. I didn’t see you at any of the parties last weekend.”
“I had a lot of homework. I stayed home and studied.”
Braden must’ve kept quiet. I thought for sure he’d try to get revenge after I turned him down last night, but maybe he thinks he’ll wait and try to kiss me again. I hope not, but I could totally see Braden doing that. He goes after what he wants and doesn’t give up.
“Hey, Rumor,” the other guys say as I sit down.
Kade smiles at me. “Practice your punches last weekend?”
I smile back. “Yeah. My left hook’s getting really good.”
They all laugh.
“Guys,” Miles says in a hushed tone. “Shut up. She’s coming over here.”
Kristen saunters over, wearing sunglasses and holding a Starbucks cup. She stops at her usual spot. “Boys.” She smiles.
“Hey, Kristen,” Miles says. “You go out for lunch?”
“My mother took me out.” She sighs dramatically. “Unfortunately.”
“She’s still here?” Kade asks. “I thought she’d be gone by now.”
“She’s leaving soon, but she’ll be back for the open house. Principal Edwards has asked her to give a speech about the donation she made to the gardens.”
“Principal Edwards.” Dante laughs. “Why don’t just call himdad?”
She glares at him. “He’s not my father. He’s mystepfather and I hate that word. I haven’t used it for any of my mother’s husbands.”
“So what do you call him?” Dante asks.
